Happy Book Birthday

Happy Book Birthday, 

Kimberly Ann Miller and P.J. Hoover! 

Triangles and Solstice are on shelves today!

Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller!

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong?

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?


Solstice by P.J. Hoover!

Piper's world is dying.

Each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles that threaten to destroy the earth. Amid this global heating crisis, Piper lives under the oppressive rule of her mother, who suffocates her even more than the weather does. Everything changes on her eighteenth birthday, when her mother is called away on a mysterious errand and Piper seizes her first opportunity for freedom.

Piper discovers a universe she never knew existed—a sphere of gods and monsters—and realizes that her world is not the only one in crisis. While gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper’s life spirals out of control as she struggles to find the answer to the secret that has been kept from her since birth.

I'm a Side Seat Reader

Do you ever feel the need to correct people when they read something and say it incorrectly? Well, this is something I have an issue with. Any time my husband or daughter mispronounce something I just can't help myself. Over the years they've started to roll their eyes at me and wave me away from them. 

But the other night I was given a nickname thanks to this habit of mine. Side Seat Reader! 

My three year old son loves to read. We go to the library regularly and check out a stack of board books for him at a time. Every night before bed I sit with him and read at least two books. Except the other night my husband decided to join in and read a book to him. One of the characters in the book is named Minka. As my husband read he kept saying Meeka. Having this bad habit, I corrected him. So the rest of the story he put emphasis on Minka, and looked at me pointedly. I laughed the whole time.

Please tell me I'm not the only one with this habit. lol

June 2013 Releases

Yay! I've been waiting for June's releases for a while, a long while now. What do I mean? Well, you'll have to see what's below that I'm excited about and why to understand. :-)

Phoenix (Black City #2) by Elizabeth Richards (6/4/13)  

Why -> I have yet to read Black City, but it looks so amazingly good. Therefore, Phoenix had to make the list. I may be waiting until the third book releases until I read this trilogy. I have been enjoying that as of lately.

One by LeighAnn Kopans (6/10/13) 

Why -> Oh this looks so good. In world where you're either a Super (with two powers) or a normal (no powers) having one power makes you a freak. Merrin can only hover, because she's a one. Thanks to her chemistry skills she has a chance for an internship with the Hub, who researches superpower manifestation. Then she meets another One, Elias, and together their Ones combine allowing them to fly, like Supers. And then there's the revelation that the Hub might be more sinister than Merrin thought.

Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller (6/18/13)

Why -> Well aside from the fact that Kimberly is one of my amazing critique partners this book is super alluring. I'm so excited for Kimberly and her debut book! A cruise ship, two guys, the Bermuda Triangle, and alternate realities that could become permanent. Seriously, that's all that needs to be said to catch my attention. I. Can't. Wait.

Solstice by P.J. Hoover (6/18/13) 

Why -> Oh my goodness, another amazing book I've been dying to get my hands on. So I read the original version that was released in 2011, but Hoover now has a shiny new deal with Tor Teen and the book has had a makeover. I can't wait to read this, again and see what's new. The original, by the way, was awesome! And the best, it's set in Austin, my hometown. So. Excited.

Defy the Dark edited by Saundra Mitchell (6/18/13)

Why -> I've definitely enjoyed some of the recent anthologies with current YA authors. I like them, partly, because they give a chance for me to discover authors I've never read before. I have a list of authors from other anthologies that I can't wait to read their novels, based on their short story writing. Plus, I get to enjoy authors I love, who I've read all of their books (Beth Revis). lol

Hidden by Marianne Curley (6/25/13) 

Why -> Ebony has been sheltered, secluded, home-schooled - hidden for her entire life. But things are changing. She's getting more beautiful every day, stronger, and she's glowing. When she meets Jordan, the boy she's drawn to, something happens to her, something that can be seen from Heaven. That's because she's a stolen angel, and Heaven has found her, but she doesn't know it. Stolen angels? Oh, this one looks so good!

What books are you excited for releasing this month? Did I miss any big ones? I usually do and learn about them as the month goes by. *sigh*

Triangles - Blog Tour

I had hoped to be able to share a review of Triangles with you, but my arc has yet to arrive. I'm hoping it wasn't misdelivered to a neighbor, depending on the neighbor they could be enjoying it instead of me. lol 

You can be sure I will share a review when once I read it, though! 
  
For now, here's the Goodreads blurb: 
 

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong?

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?
 

Now go enter the contest Spencer Hill Press is currently running for - a free cruise! 

That's right, a FREE CRUISE!  

You can preorder Triangles or wait and buy it when it releases on June 18th! 

Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Books-A Million/Book Depository

What If Questions

I read recently somewhere that you need to start with the "what if" question. This made sense, yet the majority of my manuscripts are mostly character driven. After having read this I started randomly questioning all sorts of things, stupid things, and even bordering on ridiculous.

I kept in mind one particular character. I've been thinking about her for well over a year. I have known her name, that she has a specific strange ability, that she's not who she thinks she is, and that people are looking for her. I even know one of those people looking for her, a boy her age. I even know what she and the boy look like. And that folks, is all I've had since she popped into my mind.

I don't even have a name for this boy yet. I don't know why she's in hiding, and doesn't realize it. I don't know what the people seeking her want with her. I don't know what her world is like, but I know it's not our world.

Then, about a week or so into coming up with crazy what if's I had a revelation. My husband and I were were watching one of our ghost shows. I can't remember the exact show or episode, but the ghost in question had been involved with the Civil War. Towards the end of the show I turned to my husband and asked, "What if the South had won?" He looked at me like I'd lost my marbles and then some.

So I explained. What would the world look like today if the South had won and there were two nations instead of one? What if the South and the North were two different countries? He shook his head and told me I was nuts. But, I couldn't let it go. More and more questions about this subject kept popping up.

For days I kept thinking about what our world would look like. Then this character inserted herself in that world. Now I know a little more about her. I still don't have a name for the boy or know exactly why they're looking for her, but I now know I'm on the right track. I'm beginning to see little snippets of things that happen to her.

So now begins the research for this new manuscript. I'm hoping to have this one thought out enough that I can write it for my NaNo project this year. Hopefully!

Do you have those difficult to figure out characters and stories? Do you start with a "what if" question or not?

The Devil's Triangle by Toni De Palma - Book Tour

When 17 year old Cooper dies in an attempt to burn down his school, he finds himself in the afterlife. Lucy, the Devil's sister who has crossed party lines, decides to give Cooper another shot at heaven. The deal? Cooper returns to Earth and has to find a girl named Grace. The rest is up to him.

While Cooper figures out his mission, he's thrown into the life he's always wanted. Great parents, a spot on the Varsity football team and a real future are all within reach. But what he really wants is Grace, a feisty girl with an abusive boyfriend who can pound Cooper into pulp if he doesn't watch out.

While Lucy plays demonic-puppeteer, clues to an unknown past between Cooper and Grace start to unravel. Cooper discovers that what's keeping him and Grace apart is far more sinister than anything this bad boy could have ever imagined.

Enter for your chance to win a signed copy of The Devil's Triangle and a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

a Rafflecopter giveaway http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MzY3MDE0OTllYmJlMmMzYjVkZmNlOGVkNDNlMzRhOjI=/

Contest Rules:

• Giveaway begins May 23^rd and will end June 14^th. The winner will be announced at #TheDevilsTriangleParty on Twitter June 14^th between 7pm-8pm. If the winner doesn’t respond to the tweet by the end of the party, another winner will be chosen.

• Open to U.S. residents only

• We are not responsible for items lost in the mail & have the right to disqualify anyone, at any time.

• Personal information given by the applicant in the giveaway will never be shared. All information is deleted once the giveaway ends.

You can find out more about Toni and stalk follow her on these sites:

Website / Blog / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram 

Liebster Award!

I've been given the Liebster Award by the fabulous Tonja Drecker over at KidBits. If you don't follow her, you really should. I love her blog!

Here are the rules:

The Liebster Rules: 1. The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. 2. Each blogger should post 11 facts about himself / herself. 3. Each blogger should answer the 11 questions that are asked by the nominating blogger. 4. Choose 11 new bloggers to nominate for the Award and link to them in the post. 5. Create 11 new questions for your nominees. 6. Go back to their pages and tell them they've been nominated. 7. No tag backs.

Here are my 11 facts:

1) I am horrible at sports, seriously. I did belong to a summer swim league for a couple years in middle school, and didn't hurt anyone.
2) I was a German major my first two year of college. Then switched to English.
3) I finally majored in history!
4) I love photography. 
5) I LOVE genealogy research. I'm one of those nuts who goes through old obituaries looking for treasures.
6) I hate scary movies, loathe them. But I absolutely love watching Ghost Hunters and the Haunted Collector.
7) I would rather read than watch TV most days.
8) I'm a huge Twilight fan, I don't care what anyone says.
9) I have 119 unread books sitting on my Kindle. 
10) I enjoy cooking.
11) I want to relearn German and learn French in the very near future.

Next up, Tonja's 11 questions for me:

1) Can or could you hula-hoop?

When I was a kid I was really good at the hula-hoop, loved it. Now? I haven't tried in years, so I don't know. I'll have to try this summer.

2) What is your favorite outfit to wear? Jeans, sweats, a special sweater?

Sweats! I only dress up when I leave the house. When I'm home, its sweats and t-shirts. 

3) Do you prefer french fries or onion rings? With ketchup, mayonaisse, or something else?

Onion rings with a mixture of ketchup and mayo. 

4) What was your favorite book as a child and why?

I loved the Berenstain Bears' books. I still have them! 

5) If you had a teleporter, where would you go?

Germany! I went there when I was 16 and that has been my top place to return to ever since. I loved it. My dad is actually from a small town northeast of Munich and I'd love to return there to visit with family.

6) What is your favorite joke?

I don't really have a favorite joke, but there is one that I like only because I find it stupid. I know someone who does think this is the best joke ever, so that makes it really funny to me. 
Okay: What do you call a fish without and eye? A fsh.

7) What was the best present you've ever received?

My husband gave me diamond earrings for his birthday one year. It was funny because he asked me to get him something that was right next to the jewelry box. I grabbed it without noticing the box. He had to ask me for things next to the box three times before I noticed it. He still won't let me live it down. Any other woman would have noticed a jewelry box, not me.

8) Do you sing in the shower?

Heck no! My family would laugh at me for days. I stink at singing. No talent there.

9) How many pets have you had in your life so far, and what were they?

6 cats and 3 dogs! 
Krasni - An Irish setter my grandparents gave my parents when they got engaged. I was devastated when he died.
Tiger & Bootsie - My cat and my sister's cat when we were in elementary school. 
Rosie & Hazel - The cats we got when Bootsie died. Tiger was still around. 
Cassie - A German Shepherd we had when I was in high school. Poor dog was surrounded by cats. 
Fiver & Smokey - More cats. Smokey died a few years ago. 
Bailey - My dad's Rat Terrier. I say my dad's because he adopted my dad and no one else in the family.
We don't currently have any animals in my house, but my parents still have Fiver and Bailey (and my sisters dogs.)

10) What three books do you think everyone should read?

Oh my goodness, only three?
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. 

11) What was the last thing you ate?

Um, cheetos. Hey, come on I need something to snack on while I edit. lol

Now for the 11 bloggers I nominate:

1) Elodie 
2) Carissa Taylor
3) Julie DeGuia
4) Tasha Seegmiller
5) Christine Attardo
6) Linda Cassidy Lewis
7) Mary Cain
8) Lauri Meyers
9) Jade Hart
10) Sarah Allen
11) Leslie Pugh

And, finally, my 11 questions for the nomonies:

1) What is your favorite TV show of all time?
2) What is your favorite writing/editing snack?
3) If you had to move and could live anywhere you wanted, where would you move? 
4) What are your top three favorite books?
5) When is the most productive time of day for you to write/edit?
6) Where did you go on your last vacation?
7) Coffee or tea?
8) What is your favorite social media website?
9) Which yet-to-be-released book are you most looking forward to reading?
10) When you were in grade school what did you want to be when you grew up?
11) What is your favorite sports team?